Escaped prisoner turns self in to Denver police

Police received a call from a third party who said Trujillo wanted to surrender, he gave himself up without incident

Alexandria Tilsley
Associated Press

DENVER — A man who escaped from the downtown Denver jail, allegedly with the help of a sheriff's deputy, turned himself in to police Wednesday.

Authorities have said Felix Trujillo, 24, left the jail around 7 p.m. Sunday wearing parts of a sheriff's uniform. He was back in custody Wednesday after police received a call from a third party who said Trujillo wanted to surrender. Trujillo gave himself up without incident.

This photo provided by the Denver Police shows Felix Trujillo. The sheriff's department in Denver says a deputy has been arrested on suspicion that he helped Trujillo. (AP Image)

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Police said he wouldn't be held in the same facility from which he escaped.

Earlier Wednesday, police said Marilyn Reeves, 47, had been arrested on charges of aiding an escape. They didn't discuss her ties to Trujillo, who was awaiting sentencing on aggravated robbery charges when he fled.

Police Cmdr. Ron Saunier said there could be more arrests as police investigate who helped Trujillo while he was at large.

Deputy Matthew Andrews was arrested Monday at Denver police headquarters and was accused of helping Trujillo get out.

Investigators were examining why Andrews would have wanted to help Trujillo.

An attorney for Andrews said the 36-year-old and his family felt they were in danger. Attorney Donald Sisson told The Denver Post that on Saturday, a driver pulled up next to Andrews, aimed a gun at him and said his family and his life would be in jeopardy unless he helped get Trujillo out of jail. Andrews apparently did not report the incident to his supervisors or police.

"To the extent that Deputy Andrews had any involvement in Felix Trujillo's escape, his actions were compelled by threats to his life or his family's life," Sisson told The Denver Post.

Police would not comment about Andrews' role in the escape.

Sheriff Department spokesman Maj. Frank Gale said investigators are still trying to determine whether others inside the jail were involved or violated policy. "The scope of the investigation is big," he said.

Undersheriff Gary Wilson said Tuesday that the department is reviewing its policies and training to make sure such a situation doesn't occur again.

A police records keeper said Wednesday that court documents outlining the case are sealed because the investigation is ongoing.

Andrews, a two-year-veteran of the department who worked general security duties at the jail, is on paid leave.

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